Archives of Your Week in Readings
Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from October 18th - October 24th
Wednesday, October 18: Translation Is a Mode
As part of The Bagley Wright Lecture Series on Poetry, Seattle poet and translator Don Mee Choi “will discuss Walter Benjamin’s bread, Korean cornbread, warships, Ingmar Bergman’s The Silence, and Kim Hyesoon’s mirrors in her exploration of translation.” Translation is one of the most difficult-to-explain aspects of literature, and the experience of having a mind like Choi’s describe it for us is a blessing. Sorrento Hotel, 900 Madison St., 622-6400, http://hotelsorrento.com. Free. 21 and over. 7 p.m.
Thursday, October 19: Lit Crawl Seattle
See our Event of the Week column for more details.Friday, October 20: The Trade Reading
Journalist Jere Van Dyk was kidnapped in Afghanistan. After his release, his employers and the government weren’t telling him the truth behind what happened, so six years later, he went back to Afghanistan to uncover the real story. Tonight, the Washington native returns to read from his book about the whole harrowing, frustrating experience. PATH Auditorium, 2201 Westlake Ave., 652-4255, http://townhallseattle.org. $5. All ages. 7 p.m.Saturday, October 21: Experimental Animals Reading
Thalia Field’s new novel, Experimental Animals: A Reality Fiction, is based on the true story of Claude Bernard, a French vivisectionist who was married to an animal rights activist. Bernard also was the man who invented and popularized the scientific method. Field has committed two decades to the research in this project, translating work from French into English and piecing together the complicated history of a complicated man. Hugo House, 1021 Columbia St., 322-7030, http://hugohouse.org. Free. All ages. 4 p.m.
Sunday, October 22: Reactions Reading
You’ve likely seen Theo Gray’s gorgeous book The Elements, an illustrated guide to every one of the elements on the periodic table. His newest book, Reactions: An Illustrated Exploration of Elements, Molecules, and Change in the Universe, shows what happens when those elements combine:.basically, those reactions are responsible for everything in the universe. Rainier Arts Center, 3515 S. Alaska St., 652-4255. http://townhallseattle.org. $5. All ages. 6 p.m.
Monday, October 23: An Evening with G. Willow Wilson
You might know Mischa Willett from her poetry podcast Poems for the People. Humanities Washington brings Seattle memoirist, novelist, and comics writer G. Willow Wilson to the stage for a conversation about creating the world’s most famous Muslim superhero, what it means to be a political writer, and how to juggle fame across two or three literary disciplines.Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, 104 17th Ave S. 682-1770 x102 http://humanities.org. $20. All ages. 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 24: Loud Mouth Lit
This special edition of memoirist Paul Mullin’s reading series is curated by Seattle Times reporter Brendan Kiley. Readers include David Schmader, Sydney Brownstone, and Anna Minard. They’ll all be talking on the theme of “political nausea,” which is a commodity that is in no short supply these days.
Saint Andrew’s Bar and Grill, 7406 Aurora Ave N., 523-1193. http://www.standrewsbarandgrill.com/Free. 21+. 8 p.m.
Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from October 11th - October 17th
Wednesday, October 11: Miss Kopp’s Midnight Confessions Reading
Publishers are, understandably, hitting the heavy nonfiction titles pretty hard right now. But maybe you should take a breath and read a fun mystery series for a while? Amy Stewart’s Kopp Sisters series focuses on a woman who becomes deputy sheriff in the year 1916, and she focuses on women-centric crimes. So even while you enjoy a novel, you’ll still have strong feminist women to admire. Third Place Books Ravenna, 6504 20th Ave NE, 525-2347 http://thirdplacebooks.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.
Thursday, October 12: Noir at the Bar
This Halloween edition of the ongoing mystery series features local writers including Waverly Fitzgerald, Alice Boatright, Tracy Weber, and, making her debut as a mystery novelist, longtime Seattle writer Bharti Kirschner. Get a fancy drink, take in the fancy surroundings, and let host Will "the Thrill" Viharo guide you through the evening of scary mystery. Sorrento Hotel, 900 Madison St., 622-6400, http://hotelsorrento.com. Free. 21 and over. 7 p.m.
Friday, October 13: Word Works: Mary Reufle
Poet and essayist Mary Ruefle’s new book, On Imagination, is a thoughtful examination of everything that makes imagination the most important human trait, pulling together anecdotes about geniuses like Jane Goodall, Gertrude Stein, Steve Jobs, and Emily Dickinson. Tonight, she’ll provide an original talk on imagination intended for aspiring authors. Frye Art Museum. 704 Terry Ave., 622-9250, http://fryemuseum.org. $15. All ages. 7 p.m.Saturday, October 14: Cascadia Poetry Festival
See our Event of the Week column for more details.
Sunday, October 15: The First 500 Words
Seattle young adult writer Martha Brockenbrough teaches a free class that will help writers refine the vital first 500 words of their books by minding six important points. It might sound gimmicky, but this is important stuff; the first 500 words are what will get you noticed by agents, editors, and browsers. Seattle Public Library, Broadview Branch, 12755 Greenwood Ave. N.. 684-7519, http://spl.org. Free. All ages. 2 p.m.
Monday, October 16: A Conversation with Armistead Maupin
From his beloved newspaper column to his even-more beloved series of Tales of the City novels, Armistead Maupin has enjoyed a remarkable writing career: though he began his career as one of the first openly gay mainstream writers in America, he’s now happily married to a man he claimed to meet on Daddyhunt.com. That’s a lot of history for one life. Tonight, Maupin will appear in conversation with some dickhead named Paul Constant. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., http://seattlesymphony.org. $39-75. All ages. 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 17: BAHFest Seattle
BAHFest “is a celebration of well-argued and thoroughly researched but completely incorrect scientific theory,” in which speakers present bad and wrong science to scientifically trained judges. Before the intentionally bad science begins, BAHFest founder Zach Weinersmith will read his new book, Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything.
Temple De Hirsch Sinai 1441 16th Ave., https://bahfest.com/. $1-$30. All ages. 5 p.m.
Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from October 4th - October 10th
Wednesday, October 4: Lit Crawl Kick-Off Party
It’s almost time for Lit Crawl, Seattle’s wildest cross-city literary party. Tonight, the hosts present an unveiling ceremony where they’ll reveal this year’s lineup of readers and venues to an early-bird crowd, along with readings from local writers and an auction to raise money for the event. \ Capitol Cider, 818 E. Pike St., 397-3564, http://litcrawl.org/seattle. $10. 21+. 6 p.m.Thursday, October 5: WA 129 Reading
Washington State’s outgoing poet laureate, Todd Marshall, collected as many Washington poets as humanly possible in an anthology titled WA 129. Tonight, Marshall will be joined by 15 local poets, who will each briefly read. Expect to see Elizabeth Austen, Claudia Castro Luna, Sierra Nelson, Susan Rich, and Martha Silano, among others. Open Books, 2414 N. 45th St., 633-0811, http://openpoetrybooks.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.
Friday, October 6: From Here to Eternity Reading
Caitlin Doughty is a mortician whose new book, From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death, “travels the world [from Bolivia to Japan to Indonesia] to discover how other cultures care for their dead.” Tonight, she’s joined by Seattle poet Sonya Vatomsky in an onstage conversation. She goes to Bolivia to see cigarette-smoking, wish-granting human skulls; to Japan to watch relatives of the deceased use chopsticks to pluck their loved ones’ bones from cremation ashes; to Indonesia to watch a man dress his grandfather’s mummified body.
The Summit, 420 E. Pike St., 322-7411, http://townhallseattle.org. $5. 21+. 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 7: “Write-In”
This confluence of the literary and the political (“politeracal?”) is a combination of readings by local writers, writing prompts, and joint writing exercise. These events are intended to celebrate the importance of free speech in these Trump-y times. This event is put on by Write Our Democracy, which used to be known by the much better name Writers Resist. Hugo House, 1021 Columbia St., 322-7030, http://hugohouse.org. Free. All ages. 10 a.m.Sunday, October 8: The Future Is History Reading
See our Event of the Week column for more details.Monday, October 9: Skyfarer Reading
The best sci-fi bookstore in town brings a Tacoma author named Joseph Brassey to town with his brand-new space fantasy about knights in space and a magical gem. No less a talent than Neal Stephenson says Skyfarer is “One of those remarkable books that consists entirely of ‘the good parts.’” University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Tuesday, October 10: Nasty Women Reading
This anthology from Samhita Mukhopadhyay and Kate Harding is about “Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump’s America,” and it was inspired by the Women’s march. The editors are joined by local superstar Ijeoma Oluo, who has a much-anticipated book coming out next year. Hopefully there will be several good Janet Jackson jokes to accompany all the good, thoughtful conversation. Seattle First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Ave, 652-4255, http://townhallseattle.org. $5. All ages. 7:30 p.m.Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from September 27th - October 3rd
Wednesday September 27: Beautiful Ruins Book Club
Did you know that local writing organization Seattle7 Writers hosts a monthly book club at Seward Park’s Third Place Books? Tonight, novelist and sports writer Dave Boling will lead a discussion about Spokane author Jess Walter’s bestselling novel Beautiful Ruins. No purchase is necessary, and there will be Ruin-themed drink specials for sale.
Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave S, 474-2200, http://thirdplacebooks.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.
Thursday, September 28: Timber Curtain Reading
Frances McCue is a founder of the Hugo House. She’s working on a documentary about the destruction of the old Hugo House building. And tonight she’ll be reading at Hugo House’s temporary headquarters from her new book of poems about Hugo House. The future of Hugo House will likely be discussed, as well. Hugo House, 1021 Columbia St., 322-7030, http://hugohouse.org. Free. All ages. 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 29: Playing While White Reading
Subtitled Privilege and Power on and Off the Field, Playing While White is a book about the way white privilege permeates every single aspect of sports culture. WSU professor David J. Leonard’s book investigates examples of whiteness in sports including Lance Armstrong’s sordid story and pretty much every aspect of NASCAR. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 30: Riot Days Reading
Maria Alyokhina was fighting Putin years before your grandmother put on a pussy hat and started writing long Facebook rants about fighting Putin. As a member of Pussy Riot, Alyokhina spent two years in jail for her anti-Putin protests, and her memoir of her time as a Pussy Rioter will likely inspire some American women to fight a little nastier. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.
Sunday, October 1: Geek Girl Con
See our Event of the Week column for more details. Washington State Convention Center, http://geekgirlcon.com. All ages.
Monday, October 2: Booktoberfest: Librarian’s Revenge Trivia Night
As part of a monthlong celebration known as Booktoberfest, Seattle Public Library employees are taking literary events into nontraditional spaces. Tonight, they turn the information desk around and ask you the questions in a no-entry-fee trivia night at one of the city’s very best bars. Are you smarter than a librarian? Find out tonight! Union Bar, 5609 Rainier Ave S., http://spl.org. Free. 21+. 8 p.m.
Tuesday, October 3: The Name of the Wind Reading
Fantasy author Patrick Rothfuss celebrates the 10th anniversary of the publication of his first novel, The Name of the Wind, with a brand-new fancy-pants deeeee-luxe edition, loaded with illustrations and a map and commentary that highlight the genius of Rothfuss’s wizards-and-research-laden fantasy series. University Temple, 1415 NE 43rd St.,634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/ $40. All ages. 7 p.m.Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from September 20th - September 26th
Wednesday September 20th: Season of Sacrifice Reading
Seattle writer Bharti Kirchner has written a ton of great novels that you should check out. Tonight, though, she’s debuting something new: the first book in a mystery series starring a Seattle private investigator named Maya Mallick. In Season of Sacrifice, she investigates the self-immolation death of a prominent scientist.Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.
Thursday, September 21st: Grab Back Comics Reading
Grab Back Comics started as a website collecting comics stories about sexual assault and harassment. Now it’s been collected in a beautiful print anthology. Tonight, the anthology’s editor, Erma Blood, appears with local cartoonists Amy Camber, Gillian Rhodes, Robin Elan, Tatiana Gill, and Tess LeBlanc. Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave S, 474-2200, http://thirdplacebooks.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.
Friday September 22nd: Over the Top
This one is a little different: The Washington National Park’s Discovery Group hosts a booze dinner in which scientific experts discuss projects they’re running in Washington national parks. At the end of the night, one of the projects will be funded by pooling everyone’s admission fee in a kind of American Idol for science. Georgetown Ballroom, 5623 Airport Way S., 762-4999. http://wnpf.org. $25. All ages. 5:30 p.m.Saturday, September 23rd: A Lesser Love Reading
See our Event of the Week column for more details. Hugo House, 1021 Columbia St., 322-7030, http://hugohouse.org. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Sunday, September 24th: Poetry in Conversation: The Lice
Seattle poet Bill Carty presents a special book-club-type discussion about The Lice, a seminal 20th century American poetry collection by W.S. Merwin. (The book has been republished by Port Townsend publisher Copper Canyon Press this year.) Come and talk about poetry with a poet. If you disagree, feel free to argue. Poetry will survive the scrutiny. Open Books, 2414 N. 45th St., 633-0811, http://openpoetrybooks.com. Free. All ages. 4 p.m.Monday September 25th: Dinner at the Center of the Earth Reading
You might remember Nathan Englander’s debut collection of short fiction, For the Relief of Unbearable Urges, for its beautiful sweaty cover. His new novel looks at a controversial subject — the conflict between Palestine and Israel — through the experiences of a disparate group of people including a prisoner and a waitress. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Tuesday September 26th: Bad Kansas Reading
Author Becky Mandelbaum recently moved to the Pacific Northwest, but before she did that, she published her first collection of short fiction. That book won the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction, which is no fucking joke.Tonight, she’ll be interviewed by great American author Pam Houston. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from September 13th - September 19th
Wednesday September 13th: The Hope of Another Spring Reading
An art historian named Barbara Johns offers a little context into the life of Seattle artist Takuichi Fujii, who passed away in 1964. Johns’s latest book revives this little-known artist whose remarkable life includes a stint in the Japanese interment during World War II. Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave., 386-4636, http://spl.org. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Thursday, September 14th: Scream for Zines! Mini Pop-Up Zine Show
As part of Capitol Hill Art Walk, a collection of Seattle-area zine and minicomics greats are selling their work. Featured artists include Eroyn Franklin, Jazzlyn Stone, Emily Denton, and Michael Heck. Plus, the invite says something about enjoying “a complimentary drink,” so make of that what you will. Scream, 819 E. Thomas St, 861-8468, http://screamseattle.com/. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Friday September 15th: Hugo Literary Series
The Hugo House’s crown jewel reading series, in which a mix of local and national writers make new work on a theme, kicks off for the 2017-2018 season. The readers include the downright brilliant Meghan Daum, the gifted poet Solmaz Sharif, and the underappreciated Seattle author Sonora Jha. They will all read new work based around the theme ‘Sequels.’ Fred Wildlife Refuge, 128 Belmont Ave. E., 322-7030. http://www.hugohouse.org. $10-25. All ages. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 16th: Love and Other Consolation Prizes Reading
Jamie Ford, the Seattle author who previously wrote a celebrated novel about the International District, returns with a novel about Seattle’s 1909 World’s Fair. It’s the story of a boy who is raffled off to a supposedly “good home” that turns out to be a brothel. Third Place Books Lake Forest Park, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, http://thirdplacebooks.com. Free. All ages. 4 p.m.Sunday, September 17th: The Great Book Larder Bake-Off
This event is sold out, but there is a standby list, so there’s a chance you might get in. It’s a baking competition loosely based on the hit TV show the Great British Bake Off. Today’s event is themed around savory baked goods, and the winner receives a $50 gift certificate to the Larder. Book Larder, 4252 Fremont Ave. N. 397-4271, http://booklarder.com. Free. All ages. 4:15 p.m.Monday September 18th: The Twelve-Mile Straight Reading
In case you weren’t already aware, the South is deeply fucked up. Aside from being badly beaten in the Civil War and never really getting over it, there’s a roots-deep racism that infects everything. Eleanor Henderson’s second novel is set in rural Georgia in the year 1930, which was an especially fucked up time. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Tuesday September 19th: Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian Reading
See our Event of the Week column for more details. Third Place Books Lake Forest Park, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, http://thirdplacebooks.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from September 6th - September 12th
Wednesday, September 6th: Reading Through It: No Is Not Enough
The book club that’s jointly produced by Seattle Weekly and the Seattle Review of Books turns its attention to Naomi Klein’s latest book, which is based on the idea that Democrats need to do more than just offer a negative. Arundhati Roy calls it “An ordinary person’s guide to hope.” Who couldn’t use more hope? Join us for this free discussion. Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave S, 474-2200, http://thirdplacebooks.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.
Thursday, September 7th: A Place to Call Home
Three Seattle-area friends who are first-generation Americans — Michelle Peñaloza, Jane Wong, and Tessa Hulls — come together to share new work about what it means to be a child of immigrants. Peñaloza and Wong will read new poems, and Hulls will offer a mixed-media presentation based on a recent trip to Hong Kong. Wing Luke Museum, 719 S. King St., 623-5124, http//wingluke.org. Free. All ages. 6:30 p.m.Friday September 8th: *Word Works: Kelly Link
Kelly Link is one of the most influential short story writers in the modern era. As both a writer and as an independent publisher, Link has established an aesthetic that manages to reimagine both literary fiction and fantasy. Tonight, she’ll give a craft talk titled “A Vampire is a Flexible Metaphor.” Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave., 322-7030, http://hugohouse.org. $15. All ages. 7 p.m.Saturday, September 9th: Readerfest
See our Event of the Week column for more details. Magnuson Park, 6344 N.E. 74th St. http://readerfest.com. Free. All ages. 11 a.m.Sunday, September 10th: The Pout-Pout Fish Reading
Dan Hanna is an animator who has moved into the lucrative world of children’s book authorship. His Pout-Pout Fish series of books are New York Times Bestsellers that teach kids about community and confidence, as well as how to stand up to bullies. This event will include a drawing component for kids. Third Place Books Lake Forest Park, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, http://thirdplacebooks.com. Free. All ages. 4 p.m.Monday September 11th: Horsemen of the Trumpocalypse Reading
John Nichols is a pundit for all the media outlets that matter and The Nation’s political correspondent. His latest book is subtitled “A Field Guide to the Most Dangerous People in America.” It helps you identify prominent players in the Trump administration and explains why they suck as much as they do. The Summit, 420 E. Pike St., 652-4255, http://townhallseattle.org. $5. All Ages. 7:30 p.m.Tuesday September 12th: Poetry Northwest Reading
The oldest major local poetry publication celebrates “a year of poetry” with excellent local contributors including Alan Chong Lau, Jessica Johnson, Quenton Baker, and Christine Robbins. For most of our lifetimes, Poetry Northwest has defined the Northwest poetry aesthetic; this reading indicates they’re still doing just that. Phinney Books, 7405 Greenwood Ave. N., 297-2665, http://phinneybooks.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from August 30 - September 5th
Wednesday August 30th: An Oral History of the New Orleans Ninth Ward Reading
Twelve years ago, Hurricane Katrina destroyed a major American city while an incompetent president twiddled his thumbs. Newly Seattle-based writer Caroline Gerdes’s non-fiction history of New Orleans’s Ninth Ward recollects some of the important history that was washed away by the hurricane, including remarkable stories from the Civil Rights era. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.
Thursday August 31st: Wonder Woman: Warbringer Reading
Now that Wonder Woman is the money-makingest superhero origin movie in the history of the world, a whole lot of readers are hungry for more good Wonder Woman stories. Leigh Bardugo joins us for a discussion and signing of her new book, a young-reader-friendly novel that tells a story of a very young Wonder Woman. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/. $18.99. All ages. 7 p.m.Friday September 1st: Not Quite a Genius Reading
Nate Dern is a writer for the site Funny or Die. His debut collection of humorous essays touches on famous beard-wearers like Walt Whitman and Charles Manson, while also skewering modern masculine touchstones like man buns and man caves and other University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Saturday, September 2nd: Bumbershoot
See our Event of the Week column for more details. Seattle Center, http://bumbershoot.org. $129 All ages. 2 p.m.Sunday, September 3rd: Bumbershoot
See our Event of the Week column for more details. Seattle Center, http://bumbershoot.org. $129 All ages. 2 p.m.
Tuesday September 5th: George and Lizzie Reading
Beloved Seattle librarian and action figure model Nancy Pearl reads from and discusses her very first novel, George and Lizzie. It’s a book about how two people can be in a marriage for a very long time and ultimately never reach a real understanding of what marriage means to each other. Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave., 386-4636, http://spl.org. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from August 23rd - August 29th
Wednesday August 23rd: Seattle Urban Book Expo Panel Discussion
See our Literary Event of the Week for more details. Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave., 386-4636, http://spl.org. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Thursday August 24th: The Singing Earth Reading
Seattle musician Barrett Martin (Skin Yard, Screaming Trees, Mad Season) is about to publish a new book titled The Singing Earth, which comes with an overstuffed CD. It’s about his time traveling the world and exploring “14 musical regions.” Today, he appears in conversation with Seattle treasure DJ Kevin Cole. KEXP Studios and Gathering Place, 421 1st Ave, 520-5800, http://kexp.org. Free. All ages. 6:30 p.m.Friday August 25th: Gender Odyssey
Now that we’ve got an orange hate machine as president, it’s more important than ever for cisgender folks to ally themselves with the trans community. Maybe the best way to do that is by attending Gender Odyssey, a long-running (in its 16th year!) celebration of gender diversity. Authors and booksellers will be onhand to keep things nice and literary. Washington State Convention Center, 705 Pike St., 694-5000, http://www.genderodyssey.org/seattle/. $150. All ages. 9 a.m.Saturday, August 26th: Seattle Urban Book Expo
See our Literary Event of the Week for more details. Washington Hall, 153 14th Ave, http://washingtonhall.org. Pay what you can. All ages. 1 p.m.Sunday August 27th: Two Poets
Ana-Maurine Lara, Ph.D., is the author, most recently, of Kohnjehr Woman, a narrative poetry book about race and the South. She’s also working on setting her original poetry to music and visual art. Today, she appears with poet Claudia F. Savage, who you may know better as one-half of the poetry performance duo Thick in the Throat, Honey. Open Books, 2414 N. 45th St., 633-0811, http://openpoetrybooks.com. Free. All ages. 4:30 p.m.Monday August 28th: Thrilling Tales
A couple times a month, librarians at the downtown library spend their lunchtimes reading a short story aloud to adults. Today’s reading is “The Great Pretender,” by Stanley Ellin. It’s about an old woman who is trying to protect her comely granddaughter from lascivious men who want to do terrible things to her. Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave., 386-4636, http://spl.org. Free. All ages. 12:05 p.m.
Tuesday August 29th: This Impossible Light Reading
Ravenna author Lily Myers celebrates the release of her newest book at her neighborhood bookstore. This Impossible Light is a young adult novel about a young woman struggling with an eating disorder. Perhaps the interesting thing about the book is that it’s written in verse, which is a trend in young adult books that I whole-heartedly endorse. Third Place Books Ravenna, 6504 20th Ave NE, 525-2347 http://thirdplacebooks.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from August 16th - August 22nd
Wednesday August 16th: Why Poetry Reading
Matthew Zapruder isn’t a Seattle poet, but he edits for Seattle-based Wave Books and he publishes with Port Townsend-based Copper Canyon Press. His newest book is a self-described “impassioned call for a return to reading poetry” titled Why Poetry. While generally demands that people should read poetry are like telling kids to eat broccoli, Zapruder is a brainy and passionate advocate. Sorrento Hotel, 900 Madison St., 622-6400, http://hotelsorrento.com. Free. 21 and over. 7 p.m.
Thursday August 17th: Darkansas Reading
Seattle writer Jarret Middleton’s first novel, An Dantomine Eerly, was a surrealistic book about the death of a poet. His second, Darkansas, is about a country singer who comes home to the Ozarks to attend his twin brother’s wedding. Meanwhile, his father’s ghost lingers over the proceedings and things get really creepy. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Friday August 18th: The Pox Lover Reading
Everyone’s favorite interlocutor, Seattle’s own Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore, interviews journalist Anne-Christine d’Adesky about her memoir of lesbian activism and global refugees. Sarah Schulman says the book is “Reminiscent of the luscious lesbian literature of the Parisian past but propelled into the era of AIDS, ACT UP, and the Lesbian Avengers.” Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Saturday, August 19th: Fun Home Book Club
Now that all the drama nerds are excited about Fun Home because of the musical that just came to town, it’s important to recall that Alison Bechdel’s first memoir is a complex and beautiful work of literature on its own. Come talk about one of the best comics of the last 20 years with a group of comics fans. Outsider Comics and Geek Boutique, 223 N. 36th St., 535-8886, http://outsidercomics.com/. Free. All ages. 5 p.m.Sunday August 20th: Cephalopod Appreciation Society
See our Event of the Week column for more details. Waterfront Space, 1400 Western Ave., https://www.facebook.com/CephalopodAppreciationSociety/ Free. All ages. Noon.Monday August 21st: Booze and Lasers: All the Birds in the Sky
We tend to have fewer readings at this time of year, which means it’s time for you to visit some book clubs! This new boozy book discussion group is devoted to appreciating recent sci-fi gems by women and authors of color. Their most recent selection is Charlie Jane Anders’s sci-fi-and-fantasy mashup, All the Birds in the Sky. Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave S, 474-2200, http://thirdplacebooks.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Tuesday August 22nd: Found: A Life in Mountain Rescue Reading
Bree Loewen is the leader of Seattle Mountain Rescue, a volunteer organization that saves the lives of people who get lost in the wilderness. Her memoir about those rescues — successful and not, famous and obscure — builds into a portrait of the region’s outdoor community. Read it while you’re still able to get out to the mountains for a few more weeks. King County Library, Redmond Branch, 15990 NE 85th St,, 425-885-1861, http://kcls.org. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from August 9th - August 15th
Wednesday August 9th: The Grip of It Reading
Jac Jemc is one of the finest young(ish) visiting writers who read at the APRIL Festival. Tonight, she celebrates the release of her latest novel, a haunted house story with the exceptional title The Grip of It, with APRIL co-founder and Seattle author Tara Atkinson. Expect creepy fun and literary excellence. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.
Thursday August 10th: The Clockwork Dynasty Reading
Daniel H. Wilson’s novels about the robot uprising of the future, Robopocalypse and Robogenesis are two modern classics in the geeky sci-fi canon. His latest book, The Clockwork Dynasty, looks instead to the past, unveiling a secret society of robots who have changed the course of human history. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Friday August 11th: Earth as It Is Reading
In the new novel by Jan Maher, a young woman in the 1930s walks in on her husband as he’s trying on her lingerie. She leaves him. He leaves Texas behind to move to Chicago and finds a cross-dressing subculture. Will he be able to come to terms with his secret life? University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Saturday, August 12th: Casino: A Palimpsest
See our Event of the Week column for more details. Frye Art Museum. 704 Terry Ave., 622-9250, http://fryemuseum.org. Free. All ages. 11 a.m.Sunday August 13th: Secrets of the Weird Reading
Author Chad Stroup’s latest urban fantasy takes place on the streets of a town called Sweetsville, where a drug called Sweet Candy makes wishes come true. What do neo-Nazis and unlicensed surgeons and cults have to do with it? Look, you’ll have to read the damn book to find out.University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.
Monday August 14th: New People Reading
Danzy Senna is one of the very most interesting social writers the 21st century has yet to produce. Her long-awaited new novel, New People, is about a biracial couple who find themselves divided along lines that they don’t fully comprehend. Senna explodes American conceptions of class and race in ways that will make readers completely uncomfortable. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Tuesday August 15th: Capitol Hill History
If you’re the kind of person who learns more by doing and seeing, you should take David Williams’s most recent book, Seattle Walks: Discovering History and Nature in the City out on a stroll. In a time of relentless growth, it’s important to remember what came before. Tonight, Williams will talk with two board members of the new Capitol Hill Historical Society. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from August 2nd - August 8th
Wednesday August 2nd: Reading Through It: Evicted
Join the Seattle Review of Books and the Seattle Weekly in the latest of our monthly book discussion series. This month’s book, the Pulitzer Prizewinning Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, is the first selection that could possibly evoke absolutely no discussion of President Trump. Come talk about why the rent is so damn high with us! Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave S, 474-2200, http://thirdplacebooks.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m
Thursday August 3rd: X Y Z Gallery Opening
See our Event of the Week column for more details. X Y Z Gallery, 300 S Washington St, http://www.mount-analogue.com/ . Free. All ages. 6 p.m.Friday August 4th: Science Fiction Songwriting for Teens
This is exactly why we have a public library system: real recording artists will work with Seattle-area teens (that’s age 13 and up) to write and record songs about the sci-fi story of their choice. If you record a sea shanty about Battlefield Earth, please email it to me, okay? Seattle Public Library, Southwest Branch, 9010 35th Ave SW, http://spl.org. Free, registration required. All ages. 2:30 p.m.Saturday, August 5th: Noir at the Bar: Los Angeles vs. Seattle
The mystery-themed reading series at Seattle’s swankiest bar continues with a very special episode. Los Angeles writers including Sarah M. Chen, Ashley Erwin, Danny Gardner, and more will do literary battle with Seattle mystery writers including Kat Richardson, Tracy Weber, and Nick Feldman. The home team had better win this one. Sorrento Hotel, 900 Madison St., 622-6400, http://hotelsorrento.com. Free. 21 and over. 7:30 p.m.Sunday August 6th: Comics Dungeon Sale
Wallingford’s Comics Dungeon recently founded a nonprofit named Comics for Community, Compassion, and Culture, which teaches literacy through comics to kids. That means that if you visit Comics Dungeons’ anniversary sale and buy some $1 comics or discounted trade paperbacks, you won’t just be participating in crass commercialism — you’ll also be helping to teach local kids to read. Comics Dungeon, 319 NE 45th St., 545-8373. http://comicsdungeon.com. Free. All ages. 11 a.m.Monday August 7th: Seattle Mystery Authors Tell All
Join local mystery authors Glen Erik Hamilton, Robert Dugoni, Tracy Weber, and Jim Ziskin as they get together to discuss the pleasures and perils of being a mystery author. This evening is scheduled as a group discussion which will then segue into a conversation with the audience — perfect for aspiring authors to get some candid tips. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Tuesday August 8th: Three Poets Reading
Melissa Dickey writes weird and wonderful poems about miniature children and accidents. Andy Stallings wrote an amazing poem about the curvature of the Earth titled “Geometry.” Jay Thompson has written poems about Dungeons & Dragons. Together, the three will either read poems or combine their bodies to form a larger Voltron-type figure, or both. Open Books, 2414 N. 45th St., 633-0811, http://openpoetrybooks.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from July 26th - August 1st
Wednesday July 26th: Pleasure to the People
“Pleasure to the People: Stories of QTPOC Sex and Love” is a storytelling night sponsored by Gay City, Planned Parenthood, and Hugo House. An amazing cast of local writers including Anis Gisele, Imani Sims, Storme Webber, Briq House, and Chad Goller-Sojouner share their stories to start a conversation about race, queerness, and sex. Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S Massachusetts St, 518-6000. http://naamnw.org. Free. All ages. 6:30 p.m.Thursday July 27th: Among the Living and the Dead Reading
University of Iowa creative nonfiction writer Inara Verzemnieks reads from her new family history, Among the Living and the Dead: A Tale of Exile and Homecoming on the War Roads of Europe. It’s a story of how her family traveled from Latvia to Washington state, where she was raised. Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave., 386-4636, http://spl.org. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Friday July 28th: Rules for Walking Out Reading
See our Event of the Week Column for more details. Couth Buzzard Books, 8310 Greenwood Ave N., http://buonobuzzard.com. Donation. All ages. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 29th: Fetch Reading
Portland cartoonist Nicole Georges’ comic strip starring anthropomorphic dogs was one of the best parts of the recent Grab Back comics anthology. Tonight, she debuts a memoir about a non-anthropomorphic dog, Fetch: How a Bad Dog Brought Me Home. It’s about her attempts to save a troubled dog. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Sunday July 30th: Freeway Park Walking Tour
Freeway Park is Seattle’s creepiest park, but it’s also kind of impressive. It was the first lid to go over a freeway in the United States. Your guides will walk you through the history of the park in a tour that will span more than five acres. Brutalism never looked so inviting. Freeway Park, http://www.atlasobscura.com/events/freeway-park-walking-tour. $15. All ages. 1 p.m.Monday July 31st: Mapping the Impact of Racism in Seattle
Science on Tap is a monthly conversation about scientific topics. It’s been happening at the Ravenna Third Place for years, though it recently moved from the pub upstairs to the Vios Café. Tonight’s session has a very non-controversial title: "Mapping the impact of racism in Seattle: Have we moved past it?" Third Place Books Ravenna, 6504 20th Ave NE, 525-2347 http://thirdplacebooks.com. Free. All ages. 6 p.m.Tuesday August 1st: The Tropic of Kansas Reading
Seattle author Nisi Shawl interviews Christopher Brown about his novel, which imagines a Kansas as a demilitarized zone at the center of a ruined United States of America. A brother and sister who are hiding state secrets wander through the wasteland in an attempt to get to New Orleans. Third Place Books Lake Forest Park, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, http://thirdplacebooks.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from July 19th - July 25th
Wednesday July 19th: TUF Zine Release Party
TUF is “a female/nonbinary/trans collective centered on electronic music and art,” and they like to make beautiful things. They’re celebrating the release of their second anthology zine with a big party in the best pizza place on Capitol Hill and a dance party at Dino’s brand-new basement music venue, with readings and visual art.Dino’s Tomato Pie, 1524 E Olive Way, 403-1742, http://www.tuf-seattle.com. Free/$13. All ages. 6 p.m.
Thursday July 20th: Arabella and the Battle of Venus Reading
The sequel to Portland author David Levine’s swashbuckling adventure novel Arabella of Mars sails through space to the “swampy” planet of Venus. It also features a wedding, bribery, and a space war. If you’re looking for a fun summer sci-fi series to read, this is the one for you. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Friday July 21st: Thinks Out Loud Reading
Seattle author Martin Perlman’s debut novel is about a group of bloggers who travel the world having adventures involving shipwreck and princesses and some light time travel. The book is written in the form of the main characters’ blogs. What’s the blog equivalent of an epistolary novel? A bloggiad? University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Saturday, July 22nd: Queer Geek Board Gaming
Capitol Hill’s biggest nerd emporium welcomes all to a free afternoon of “GLBTQ-flavored gaming and socializing.” Available games include DC superhero and Adventure Time-themed games, Relic Runners, and Small World, though you’re invited to bring your own game to share. Meet some new people in a safe and welcoming environment. Phoenix Comics & Games, 113 Broadway E, 328-4552, http://phoenixseattle.com. Free. All ages. 1 p.m.Sunday July 23rd: Waterways Reading
Seattle is a city that has repeatedly changed its own geography, from building Pioneer Square out of mud flats to the Denny Regrade. Local historians Jennifer Ott and David B. Williams discuss their new book, which follows the history of the Lake Washington Ship Canal and examines its impact on the Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave., 386-4636, spl.org. Free. All ages. 3 p.m.Monday July 24th: African-American Writers’ Alliance
The African-American Writers' Alliance (AAWA) is a Seattle-area writing collective. What this means is they put new and published authors together in forums and provide opportunities like published anthologies for members to show off their writing. Another way the AAWA honors its members is by hosting readings like this one. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Tuesday July 25th: Forget It Reading
See our Event of the Week column for more details. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from July 12th - July 18th
Wednesday July 12th: Kay Kenyon and Nancy Kress
See our Literary Event of the Week column for more details. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.
Thursday July 13th: The Dollhouse Reading
The first novel from Fiona Davis takes place in the Barbizon Hotel for Women, a real women’s hotel in 1950’s New York. Women who moved to New York — including Sylvia Plath and Joan Didion — would stay at the Barbizon while trying to get their careers off the ground in a chauvinistic society. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Friday July 14th: The Atlas of Forgotten Places Reading
New-to-Seattle author Jenny D. Williams debuts her very first novel, The Atlas of Forgotten Places — about ivory smuggling and civil war in Uganda and the Congo — with a big fancy reading as only Elliott Bay can do it. Williams traveled extensively as part of the research for this book, and she has many fascinating stories to tell. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Saturday, July 15th: Dock Street Salon
The ongoing reading partnering Greenwood bookstore Phinney Books with Ballard publisher Dock Street Press celebrates summers with three writers from Spokane. Leyna Krow brings her debut book of stories, I'm Fine, But You Appear to Be Sinking along with two poets — Tim Greenup (Without Warning) and Ben Cartwright (After Our Departure). Phinney Books, 7405 Greenwood Ave. N., 297-2665, http://phinneybooks.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Sunday July 16th: Making My Pitch Reading
According to press materials, Ila Borders “was the first female to win a scholarship to play men’s collegiate baseball.” She also pitched minor league baseball with men. In her spare time, she’s a firefighter in Portland. Yes, you’ve just found a new hero. She’s in town with her memoir Making My Pitch: A Woman's Baseball Odyssey. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 3 p.m.Monday July 17th: Jack Straw Writers
You should always pay attention to the Jack Straw Writers. The program, in which twelve new-ish writers learn how to better communicate their ideas via readings and recordings, is often an incubator for writers who are on the verge of becoming major forces in Seattle literature. Tonight’s readers include Ellie Belew, Wancy Young Cho, Steph Kesey, Hera McLeod, and D.A. Navoti. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Tuesday July 18th: Battle Hill Bolero Reading
Every summer, the awesome Seattle writing organization Clarion West brings sci-fi writers to town for a summer reading series. The latest reading features Daniel Jose Older, whose most recent series of music-themed novels involves a battle between the living and the half-dead on the streets of New York City. Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave., 386-4636, spl.org. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from July 5th - July 11th
Wednesday July 5th: Reading Through It: Dark Money
You probably know who the Koch Brothers are — those ridiculously wealthy tax-hating men who bankroll everything evil in the conservative agenda. But did you know that the Koch Brothers, as children, had a nanny who made them defecate on demand? Discuss that, and how they implemented their horrific agenda, in this month’s book club. Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave S, 474-2200, http://thirdplacebooks.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Alternate Wednesday July 5th: White Plains Reading
David Hicks is a Colorado writer and writing teacher whose latest book in stories, White Plains, is about post-9/11 Colorado. Hicks is joined by the best of Seattle, in the form of local writers Donna Miscolta and Andrea Dunlop. Always good to see Seattle writers help a visiting writer to launch a book into the world. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.
Thursday July 6th: An Oath of Dogs Reading
The best sci-fi bookstore in town brings Portland-based Lightspeed Magazine editor Wendy N. Wagner to town to read from her sci-fi novel An Oath of Dogs, which features “eco-terrorism, sentient dogs, and corporate intrigue.” It begins with a man named Duncan getting beaten up by a man wearing cowboy boots. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Friday July 7th: Abloom & Awry Reading
Poet and Pulitzer Prizewinning reporter Tina Kelly, who previously lived in Seattle, returns to town to read from her latest poetry collection. She’s joined by Seattle poet Judith Skillman, who will be reading from her new book about the life of Franz Kafka and the impact left by Kafka’s horrible father. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Saturday, July 8th: Hot Off the Press Book Fair
See our Event of the Week column for more details. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery, 925 E. Pike St., 658-0110, http://fantagraphics.com/flog/bookstore. Free. All ages. 5 p.m.Sunday July 9th: Nature Poem Reading
Tommy Pico is a prominent Brooklyn poet, podcaster, and an editor at the terrific site Literary Hub. He’s in town with his second poetry collection, a book-length poem called Nature Poem. To help Pico celebrate his new arrival, Seattle poet Sarah Galvin — one of the very best readers in the city — will join him onstage and read a few poems. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 3 p.m.Monday July 10th: My Oh My Reading
Look, I’m not a sports guy. But even a sports-hater like me has to acknowledge the greatness of Mariners sportscaster Dave Niehaus, who for years made listening to baseball on the radio actually fun. Billy Mac presents his new Niehaus biography tonight, and the crowd will undoubtedly go wild. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Tuesday July 11th: Chain Letter
The third episode of Capitol Hill’s newest reading series (created and curated by one of the long-running, much-missed Breadline reading series) features writers Joseph Raisanen, Cassandra DeKanter, and Bryan Edenfield. These three are little-known writers right now, but this is the kind of reading series that might propel them to the stratosphere. Vermillion Art Gallery and Bar, 1508 11th Ave., 709-9797, http://vermillionseattle.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from June 28th - July 4th
Wednesday June 28th: Poetic Grid
For the last two years, Claudia Castro Luna has made Seattle proud as our Civic Poet, representing Seattle’s many experiences through poetry. She’s brought poems to City Hall events, she’s published a great chapbook of poems, and she’s paired with a large number of our great arts organizations. Tonight, she debuts the Poetic Grid, a fantastic collaborative poetry map of Seattle. Open Books, 2414 N. 45th St., 633-0811, http://openpoetrybooks.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Thursday June 29th: Death Rattle Hum
Idaho nonprofit Death Rattle Writers Festival is an organization intended to bring other Northwestern writers together with Idahoan writers through contests and festivals and literary events. This reading features excellent Seattle poet Quenton Baker, reading with Idaho writers Alex Yan, Griffin Rae Birdsong, Dig Reeder, Ricky Ramirez, and Diana Forgione. Vermillion Art Gallery and Bar, 1508 11th Ave., 709-9797, http://vermillionseattle.com. Free. All ages. 6 p.m.Friday June 30th: The Last Hurrah
See our Event of the Week column for more details. Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave., 652-4255, http://townhallseattle.org. Free. All ages. All day.
Saturday July 1st: The Fateful Fourth Reading
Washington historian Russel Holter discusses “the notorious 1900 trolley accident” that helped shape the city of Tacoma for a whole century. It’s an account of a doomed 4th of July celebration that, on our first 4th of July under President Trump, might be even more resonant than ever. University Book Store Tacoma, 1754 Pacific Ave., (253) 692-4300, http://u.bookstore.edu, 2 p.m. All ages. Free.Sunday July 2nd: Reading with Rover
Fun fact: if you know a child who is having trouble learning how to read, have them practice reading to dogs. And if you don’t have any dogs in your life, bring them to this event, which features trained therapy dogs just waiting for kids to read to them. University Book Store Mill Creek, 15311 Main St., 425-385-3530. http://ubookstore.com. Free. All ages. 11:30 a.m.Monday July 3rd: Works in Progress
One of Seattle’s most venerable open mic nights continues in a special pre-Independence Day edition. Bring your non-fiction or fiction or patriotic pantoum and share it with an eclectic room of regulars and newbies and aspiring writers. Press materials warn that “Some content not suitable for children or small animals.” Hugo House, 1021 Columbia St., 322-7030, http://hugohouse.org. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Tuesday July 4th: Democracy Slam
What better way to celebrate the 4th of July than with a poetry slam? Think of today’s Democracy Slam as a celebration of your constitutional right to celebrate the freedom of speech, with booze and prizes. It’s a hell of a lot more fun than getting drunk and blowing a thumb off with some fireworks. Re-Bar, 1114 Howell St., http://rebarseattle.com. $5. 21+. 7 p.mYour Week in Readings: The best literary events from June 21st - 27th
Wednesday June 21st: Life After Death
See our Event of the Week column for more details. Hugo House, 1021 Columbia St., 322-7030, http://hugohouse.org. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.
Thursday June 22nd: Resisting Trump's Shock Doctrine
Naomi Klein reads from her latest book, No Is Not Enough, and also will talk extemporaneously about whatever special hellish thing our president decides to do this week. Who can predict what that will be? Maybe he'll give citizenship to cockroaches and declare war against Luxembourg. Why not? The Neptune, 1412 18th Ave, 1-800-745-3000. http://www.stgpresents.org/tickets/eventdetail/3522/-/resisting-trump-s-shock-doctrine-an-evening-with-naomi-klein $23.49. All ages. 7:30 p.m.Friday June 23rd: Spotlight
Group readings tend to die down around this time of year, which is a shame, because few things are better on a hot summer night than a brisk night of literary events. Tonight’s readers are Josh Potter, poet Sharon Nyree Williams, and Word Lit Zine publisher Jekeva Phillips, along with an open mic in which readers get three minutes apiece. Theater Schmeater, 2125 3rd Ave, schmee.org. $14. All ages. 7:30 p.mSaturday June 24th: June Write-In
June Write-In This is the second in an ongoing series of write-ins in which authors gather to talk about the importance of free speech and democracy in a functioning America. Readers include afrose fatima ahmed, Catherine Bull, and Anca Szilágyi. Be prepared to write about and discuss what it is you love about your country. Hugo House, 1021 Columbia St., 322-7030, hugohouse.org. Free. All ages. 10 a.m.Sunday June 25th: Says You!
Did you know that Town Hall Seattle is about to close for a yearlong renovation? It’s true! One of the best readings venues in the city will be shuttered, improved, and reopened. This is your last chance to catch NPR game show Says You! in this venue for at least one year. Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave., 652-4255, townhallseattle.org. $32.50. All ages. 7:30 p.m.Monday June 26th: The America Syndrome Reading
Betsy Hartmann’s latest book examines how American thought tends to be overly obsessed with the apocalypse. Is the idea of the end of the world intrinsic to the American ideal? Why do Americans spend so much time thinking about Armageddon? Is there any way to turn our national psyche around? Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave., 652-4255, http://townhallseattle.org. $5. All ages. 7:30 p.m.Tuesday June 27th: Who Belongs?
Dr. Sapna Cheryan leads a discussion about women in science, why it’s taking so long for female representation to catch up in science — particularly computer science. Also discussed: why computer science is so thick with sexist and derogatory language. How do women catch up in this traditionally male-dominated field? That’s what tonight is all about. Ada’s Technical Books, 425 15th Ave, 322-1058, http://seattletechnicalbooks.com, $5, 21+.Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from June 14th - 20th
Wednesday June 14th: You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me Reading
Sherman Alexie is Seattle’s most entertaining reader, the most famous literary figure from Seattle, and one of our finest writers. And tonight he’s launching the biggest book of his career — a memoir about his complicated relationship with his mother. This reading is sold out, but Town Hall often has standby tickets available at the door. Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave., 652-4255, http://www.townhallseattle.org. $5. All ages. 7:30 p.m.Thursday June 15th: Writers & Poets of Washington State
Western Washington poets Gary Lilley and Ann Tweedy team up with Spokane story author Erin Pringle and Spokane novelist Sharma Shields to bridge the divide and bring eastern and western Washington together at last. For one night, let’s pretend the mountain range, desert, and broken political discourse that separates us just doesn’t exist. Hugo House, 1021 Columbia St., 322-7030, http://www.hugohouse.org. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Friday June 16th: Wombgenda Launch Party
Over the last couple of years, Seattle Weekly contributor Tatiana Gill has become one of the city’s best and most reliable autobiographical cartoonists. Tonight, she debuts a new collection of comics specifically related to health issues, as part of the weekend-long Comics & Medicine Conference that’s visiting Seattle. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery, 925 E. Pike St., 658-0110, http://fantagraphics.com/flog/bookstore. Free. All ages. 6 p.m.Saturday June 17th: Comics & Medicine Conference
See our Event of the Week column for more details. Various locations, http://www.graphicmedicine.org/2017-seattle-conference/.Sunday June 18th: Thick as Thieves 2 Launch Party
The vacuum left behind by the passing of free comics newspaper Intruder was quickly filled by Thick as Thieves, a new anthology of Seattle cartoonists. Tonight, the second issue of Thick as Thieves launches with music by freaky screamy rock demigods HHRRIISSTT, a Mario Kart 64 tournament, comics art, and a big-ass raffle. Fred Wildlife Refuge, 128 Belmont Ave. E., 322-7030, http://www.hugohouse.org. Free. 21+. 7:30 p.m.
Monday June 19th: Discovering Seattle's Parks Reading
Did you know that there are 426 parks in Seattle? Linnea Westerlind has visited every single one of them, and now she’s turned her blog about visiting them all, YearofSeattleParks.com, into a fully fleshed-out book about those pockets of green which make our city so damn livable. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Tuesday June 20th: Afterparty Reading
Set in a near(-ish) future in which anyone can print drugs at home, Afterparty is about a designer drug that becomes the basis for a new religion. After the religion starts, people begin to die. Author Daryl Gregory will discuss whether or not Afterparty was inspired through pharmaceutical intervention tonight. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www.bookstore.washington.edu/. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.Your Week in Readings: The best literary events from June 7th - June 13th
Wednesday June 7th: Reading Through It: The Man Without a Face
Every month, the Seattle Weekly and the Seattle Review of Books team up to bring you a current-events book club for our Trump-possessed times. This month’s selection, unfortunately, turned out to be especially timely in this era of light treason. Join us as we discuss Masha Gessen’s The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin. Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave S, 474-2200, http://thirdplacebooks.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.